Aftermarket

Teamsters Strike ANR, Chicago UPS

Dec. 10 – New Teamsters President James P. Hoffa promised a more militant union, and it appears the union’s not wasting any time. After sending strike threat letters to Overnite customers Monday, the union is now striking United Parcel Service in Chicago and ANR Advance Transportation.

About 11,000 union workers for UPS in Chicago walked off the job 1:30 a.m. yesterday in a dispute over job assignments and overtime. Teamsters Local 705 reportedly is upset with the practice of UPS supervisors performing work that should go to union workers, robbing them of overtime – a practice they expect to worsen during the busy holiday season.The UPS Teamsters were called back to work at 9 a.m., after talks were scheduled with management for later in the day.Nearly 1,400 Teamster truck drivers and dock workers went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday against ANR Advance Transportation Company, a less-than-truckload company based in Milwaukee.The strike followed several months of negotiations with the union, which broke down in November.“The union has repeatedly asked the company to come back to the table to bargain,” said Richard Nelson, co-chairman of the Teamsters negotiating committee, “but the company has decided to unilaterally implement its final offer.” According to the union, the final offer includes a five-year wage freeze, reduced health coverage, stricter sick leave provisions, reduced vacation, overtime after 40 hours per week instead of after eight hours per day, and more part-time positions.Houston-based Coastal Corp., which owns 50% of ANR Advance Transportation, says it is evaluating its interest in the company, including whether or not to discontinue its investment in the company.